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OpinionJournal.com editor James Taranto coined the eponymous term “The Butterfield Effect” after New York Times crime reporter Fox Butterfield, who could not understand why the number of inmates in federal and state prisons was increasing when crime rates were falling. Taranto concluded that perhaps Butterfield inadvertantly reversed the cause with the effect, viz., the correct…

“Can’t you do something to make this pain go away?” No, my child, but understand that the greater is your pain, the greater was your love. Only passionate hearts can produce passionate grief. Such hearts use the gift of time not only to refill what has been emptied, but to reshape sorrow into something that…

“Yes, I’d like a dozen doughnuts, please.” “Are you sure, sir? If I were you I’d run as fast as I could from this shop and head for the nearest bakery for some whole grain bread.” “You work here and you’re trying to discourage me from buying your product?” “I know it sounds crazy, but…

Here’s a little post-Thanksgiving quiz for the gang to take – try guessing the correct answers regarding this research study from the University of California, San Diego. I’ll even make this multiple choice… “Previous studies have suggested that _____________ increases pain,” [said] lead investigator Dr. Mark Wallace. A. standing while riding “Space Mountain” at Walt…

Here’s a bit of encouraging news for patients afflicted with the brain tumor known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM): U.S. biotechnology company Genentech, Inc. said on Sunday its blockbuster cancer drug, Avastin, showed encouraging results for patients with the most aggressive form of brain cancer. A pilot study from Duke University Medical Center, published in the…

[Editor’s note: the C.O. petitioned us to allow him the chance to share his current reading list with the lovely and talented ScienceBlogs audience. As part of our policy to quash the rampant narcissism plaguing this nation, we initally declined, but he made us an offer we couldn’t refuse, so here it is.] Some interesting…

Boston, Massachusetts, 1865 – Corporal Charles H. Williams, formerly of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, arrives from his hometown for a reunion with surviving members of his unit. For the past four years the 13th had been involved in a number of now hallowed Civil War battles including Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg.…

From ABC News comes this story of a woman who had her health insurance policy cancelled after being diagnosed with cancer and starting on chemotherapy. [She] is a self-employed hairdresser who was in the middle of cancer treatment when Health Net, one of California’s biggest health care companies, canceled her coverage. [She] told ABC News,…

Things Overheard in a Plastic Surgeon’s Office: 1. “Doc, can you at least bring me down to an A-cup?” 2. “Yes, I’m pleased, but why does my husband keep asking me if I’m ready for my close-up?” 3. “I’m afraid I made this one longer than the other.” 4. “We perform laser removal here, Mr.…

I adhere to a certain practice on such a regular basis that my family has resigned themselves to residing with someone that exhibits what they consider to be quirky, if not downright bizarre behavior. No, it’s not that ‘certain practice’. Now it turns out I’m not so loony after all: “Study Shows People Who Fast…